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"I'm just getting some last minute bits for Christmas. I've been to Primark and that's about it so far. I think it's only going to get busier as we get closer to Christmas now.

"Luckily for me I live very close to the city centre so I didn't have to worry about parking or anything like that."

Helen's story

Helen Nichols is 50 and lives in Chelmsford.

She said: "I hate shopping and I've left it all until the last minute this year.

"I like shopping online with a glass of wine at home - it's a lot less stressful.

"I've picked up some good bargains today though - Debenhams have a great sale on.

"I got some cheap shirts and jumpers and I've come out to get bits for the kids too. It's absolutely manic here today."

Robert's story

I caught up with Robert Bamber in the High Street, close to the entrance to Bond Street and next to the giant light up Christmas decoration that has lit up the city centre this December.

The 54-year-old, who lives in the city, said: "I've actually come over here to look after my mum who has Parkinson's disease.

"I live in Spain with my French wife and children but I came over here at Easter to help my mum out with the house and finances.

"I grew up here in Chelmsford, moved out to Spain in 1993 and built my life over there.

Robert Bamber flys back to Spain on Christmas Eve

"In Spain you can have two years off work to look after family members who have been taken ill so I've taken a few months off to help my mum.

"I've been getting a few bits from the market - I grew up here so I know the area and the market. I came out at 11 to try and park I even tried Tesco but I couldn't park.

"It's ridiculous. I went to the market and there is a huge queue for the cheese stand so I might come back to that later.

The Cheese Stall in the Market was very popular

"I fly back to Spain on Christmas Eve to spend Christmas with my wife and kids. I need to get some toys for them while I'm here but there aren't many places to buy toys for young children apart from The Entertainer.

"I've been Skyping my wife and kids regularly but it's not the same, is it, so I'm looking forward to seeing them again."

Julie's story

Julie Hibbs, from Jaywick, took her 16-year-old daughter, Nadine, shopping in Chelmsford today for some last minute Christmas presents.

Speaking to me from a bench in Half Moon Square, outside High Chelmer Shopping Centre, Julie said: "We knew it would be chaos so we got here early.

"We got parked in the multi-story by the market at about 10.30am.

"If we would have left it any later we would not have been able to park.

Julie Hibbs (right) and her daughter Nadine Hibbs (left)

"We queued for a while in Primark but there's always queues in there.

"Because we are from Jaywick, shopping here is great, as there's such a variety of shops.

"We did manage to get what we needed but we still have some things to get and we want to get away before rush hour this evening."

Paul's story

Paul Barker, was released from prison on June 23, 2016 and up until March 2017 was living on the streets of Chelmsford.

The 49-year-old said: "I was living in a tent given to me by the church down by the river by the Army and Navy.

Paul Barker is spending his first christmas in his own flat this year

"Last year I spent Christmas at a friends place so this is the first year I will have spent Christmas in my own place.

"I love seeing everyone walk past me in town getting excited for Christmas, and it's absolutely great that this year I have my own place.

Chelmsford was very busy today

"I want to decorate my flat all Christmassy. I have a tree up already and I might even treat myself to a microwave meal.

"As long as you have warmth and a roof over your head that is the main thing."

Yvonne's story

Yvonne Smith, from Mayland, found a place in the same car park as me.

Sat on a bench outside the former Argos building and surrounded with her shopping bags, she told me: "It is a pain parking in Chelmsford most days, but I came to Navigation Road on the off-chance and found a space straight away.

"I’ve come to do some last minute shopping for Christmas. It seems very busy, but what do you expect at this time of year?"

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